The latest artist to be signed to Aussie icons Hilltop Hoods’ label Golden Era Records this year, hip-hop fanatics need only listen to Skrub’s sophomore album Long Story Short to see why this Brisbane rapper is a cut above the rest.
Released in the early days of 2018, the ten track album dips between vibrantly brassy boom-bap beats to more experimental G-Funk and trap inspired tracks. Verging into unfamiliar territory is nothing new for Skrub, who lurches out with some utterly wrenching bars that make you gasp out loud (in a good way!). To draw a comparison, Skrub is heavily inspired by the beats and style of Eminem’s earliest material. With some of the smoothest story-telling and delivery around, this record has an unrelenting force of energy. The braggadocious bars set a challenge for any contenders to try. While there’s been mixed reception for the genre of Australian hip hop, acts across the country like Kerser, OneFour, and Chillinit demonstrate there’s more to this scene than simple replication, and up-and-comer Skrub is a further testament to this. The addition of well selected feature verses from Brisbane legends, Headmasta Dean, and Nerve, as well as Tasmania’s Wombat throughout Long Story Short helps promote the uniqueness of the wider scene as well as carve out Skrub’s own style.
With audiences now eagerly awaiting the release of his latest single, Casualty, which drops 23 August, fans can only take a guess at what the young rapper will bring to the game next. Having already carved out a name for himself in the local scene through sheer determination and passion alone, high quality Australian hip-hop is assured when Skrub is on the mic.
Skrub’s sophomore album Long Story Short is out now.
LONG STORY SHORT – SKRUB
Feature image: Skrub by Kyel Golly
This review is courtesy of Phoenix Radio’s Emerge program, hosted by Calen Le Couteur and Russell Thompson. Follow Emerge and tune in on Monday nights 7-9PM HERE.
